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The latest in casting coups is that Helen Mirren, known for her performances in The Queen, The Hundred-Foot Journey and the Red series, has joined the cast of Fast & Furious 8.

She broke the news in an interview with Elle magazine, in which she disclosed that she accepted the role for "the fun of it”.

Details about the film's plot and Mirren's character are yet to be revealed, and she isn't sure if her character will get to drive.

But she is sure about one thing:

‘I’ll be in it, but only if I’m allowed to drive if I do drive in it," she said.

"“But we’ll see. We’ll see how it transpires,” she later concedes.

Asked if she’s a fan of cars, Mirren said: “I’ve always rather loved driving."

This will be the second involvement in an action franchise, the first being her role in the Bruce Willis-starring Red series.

Mirren will be joined by Fast and the Furious stalwarts Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris and the last movie’s official villain: Jason Statham. Charlize Theron has been roeped in for another villainous role.

Straight Outta Compton director F Gary Gray is helming the project, the first of a new trilogy taking the series forward following the death of leading man Paul Walker.

The film will release on April 14 2017.